Police battle anti government protesters in Kuwait

Kuwait appeared on the brink of a political confrontation after its ruler ordered an electoral law to be amended (Yasser Al-Zayyat)

WITNESSES in Kuwait say police have used tear gas and stun grenades against anti-government protesters defying orders not to stage marches through the capital.

The demonstrators had permission to gather outside parliament to protest about changes to electoral law, but some broke away and staged defiant processions through Kuwait City.

Several people were reportedly injured when the marchers clashed with riot police.

Kuwait’s Islamist opposition decided to take to the streets after the government - which is dominated by the ruling Al-Sabah family - announced last week that it was calling elections for December 1 and would change the electoral law “to preserve national unity”.

The announcement was the latest move in an intensifying power struggle between the ruling establishment and parliament. The emir, 83-year-old…

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